Method and system for enhanced modulation of video signals

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus and system for signal modulation. A plurality of pixels are selected in a pattern such that a first pixel group of the plurality of pixels is unpaired with a second pixel group of the plurality of pixels throughout the pattern in a portion of a video signal. The intensity of the plurality of the pixels is altered at a constant magnitude in the portion of the video signal pursuant to the pattern in a substantially invisible way.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/888,919, filed Jul. 9, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,374, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled“Method and System for Spread Spectrum Frequency Modulation of VideoSignals”, Ser. No. 60/498,039, Filed 26 Aug. 2003; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application entitled “Method and System for Detection of CarrierSignals Within Video Signals by Magnitude Changes”, Ser. No. 60,502,136,Filed 10 Sep. 2003; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled“Method and System for Video Signal Image Analysis”, Ser. No.60/554,151, Filed 18 Mar. 2004, all of which are herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method for encoding and detecting acarrier signal in a video signal for signaling purposes, and moreparticularly to methods and apparatus for determining an optimum leveland placement of a carrier signal to be modulated into an active portionof a video signal so as to deter nefarious third parties from strippingthe carrier signal out of the video signal and increase thedetectability of the carrier signal within the video signal withoutnoticeably decreasing the clarity of a picture represented by videosignal to a viewer.

Various methods exist in the art for transmitting a carrier (orsubcarrier) signal along with video signals, wherein the carrier signalis used for a variety of signaling purposes. Several of these methodstransmit the carrier signals, such as in the form of auxiliary data, inthe video signals by replacing active portions of the video signal withauxiliary data, such that users who view the video signal on theirdisplay devices (e.g., televisions) will see the effect of the carriersignal in the form of an icon, dot or other visual image or disturbancein the picture. Other methods transmit carrier signals in non-viewablescan lines of the video signal, such as in the vertical blankinginterval (VBI). However, these scan lines may already contain othercarrier signals such as signals that represent cueing information,timing information or closed captioning information and are prone tobeing stripped by programming operators prior to broadcast.

Another method for transmitting a carrier signal in video signals isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,031 to Broughton et al. (“Broughton”)entitled “Interactive Video Method and Apparatus”, which relatesgenerally to in-band video broadcasting of commands and other encodedinformation to interactive devices and is incorporated by referenceherein. The invention described therein relates generally to interactiveeducational and entertainment systems, and is described in oneembodiment in the context of television program control of toys locatedwhere there is a television receiver, as within a residence.

To encode control data, Broughton discloses a novel method of luminanceor chrominance modulation of a video signal that creates a compositevideo signal, wherein the video signal is modulated with control data.The novel modulation method alternately raises and lowers theluminance/chrominance of paired adjacent horizontal scan lines to createa video subcarrier that contains the control data.

In Broughton, the video signal is not being replaced with other data,nor is the data being added as a separate signal along with the videosignal. Rather, the video signal itself is modulated to carry thecontrol data. Therefore, the control data is a part of, or containedwithin, the video signal and yet is imperceptible to the human eye. Theencoding method also includes preview and remove circuitry to ensuresuitability or the presence of data encoding and removal of dataencoding, respectively.

The control data is transmitted either by television broadcast means, orby pre-recorded video players that are connected to a video display. Thecontrol data is then received by the video display where at least onevideo field of the video display is modulated by control data. Thecontrol data is then detected with either opto-electronic or radiofrequency (RF) detection means that discriminate between the programmaterial and the control data to detect the control data. The detectedcontrol data is further reproduced so that the control data can be usedwith an interactive device.

Improvements on the method of modulation described in Broughton aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,228 to Ciardullo et al. and U.S. Pat.No. 6,229,572 to Ciardullo et al. (referred to collectively herein as“Ciardullo”). Both Ciardullo patents describe improved methods of signalmodulation wherein the auxiliary data is inserted within the visualportion of a video signal by changing the luminance of paired scan linesin opposite directions. Instead of raising and lowering the intensity onthe whole line as in Broughton, Ciardullo uses pseudo noise sequences toraise and lower the intensity on portions of a first line, where theline paired to the first line is modulated with the inverse pseudo noisesequences. Ciardullo thereby allows larger amounts of auxiliary data tobe modulated in the video signal by use of the pseudo noise sequences.Ciardullo, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention, isincorporated by reference herein.

Improvements in the method of modulating data in the active portion ofthe video signal are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,905 to Chupp etal. (hereinafter “Chupp”). Chupp discloses a method of superimposingdata on the visible portion of a video signal comprising the steps ofanalyzing an image defined by a video signal and forms of pixels toidentify a data carrying parameter associated with each pixel,developing a chip characteristic table having digital values thatrepresent the amplitudes of respective chips to be superimposed on thevideo signal at corresponding positions, each chip having a varyingcharacteristic determined by the parameter combining the video signalswith the chips using the derived chip amplitudes into a compositesignal, and transmitting the composite video signal. Chupp is also ownedby the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated byreference herein.

At the time of the present invention, analog display devices (e.g., NTSCtelevisions) operate by use of a fine pitch electron beam that strikesphosphors coating on an internal face of the cathode ray tube (CRT). Thephosphors emit light of an intensity which is a function of theintensity of the beam striking it. A period of 1/60 second is requiredfor the electron beam to completely scan down the CRT face to display afield of the image. During the following 1/60 second, an interlacedfield is scanned, and a complete frame of video is then visible on theanalog display device. The phosphors coating on the face of the tube ischemically treated to retain its light emitting properties for a shortduration. Thus, the first area of the scanned picture begins to fadejust as the electron beam retraces (i.e., during the vertical retrace)to the top of the screen to refresh it. Since the electron beam covers525 lines 30 times per second, a total of 15,750 lines per second isviewed each second.

Broughton's method of encoding a carrier signal in a video signal andits improvements were generally intended for use with an analog displaydevice. Upon receiving the video signal from the signal source, such adisplay device splits the video signal into sequentially transmittedimages referred to as frames, whereby each frame of an NTSC televisionimage has 525 horizontal scan lines. The display device scans 262.5 ofthe horizontal lines left to right and top to bottom by skipping everyother line, thus completing the scan of a first field, and thenretracing to the top of the image and scanning the remaining 262.5lines, for a second field. The fields are interlaced at the displaydevice and construct one complete frame. When the video signal isbroadcast at 525 lines per frame and 30 frames a second there are 60fields per second and a line frequency rate (i.e., the speed at whichlines are refreshed) of 15,750 Hz (i.e., approximately 16 kHz).

The use of Broughton and other methods of encoding carrier signals maynot be sufficiently robust for embodiments where there is a possibilitythat the carrier signal will be detected, altered or removed by anunauthorized party. Under Broughton, the unauthorized party may detectthe frequency at which carrier signal is present and use an electronicdevice to strip out the carrier signal while substantially preservingthe video signal. The detection, removal or alternation of the carriersignal may provide the unauthorized party with additional benefits oraccess to which the party would not otherwise be entitled, such as whenthe carrier signal is used to restrict unauthorized reproduction of thevideo signal.

The possibility of unauthorized detection, removal or alternation ofcarrier signals may be reduced under the present invention by spreadingthe resulting encoding frequency over a spectrum. Generally, spreadspectrum technology is used with wireless communications in which thefrequency of a transmitted signal is deliberately varied. The signal isthus transmitted over a greater bandwidth than if the signal did nothave its frequency varied. Thereby, the signal is less likely to bedisrupted if there is a significant amount of interference at aparticular frequency. In addition, the spreading of the spectrum from asingle frequency to multiple frequencies dramatically increases thedifficulty of an unauthorized party interfering with or intercepting thecarrier signal.

Since there is a frequency generated by adding the carrier signal to thevideo scan lines in a regular pattern, it is desirable to vary thelocations and levels by which the intensity of the video signal isaltered so that the resulting frequencies from modulating the videosignal will occur over a wide range. Accordingly, there is a need in theart to modulate a video signal with a carrier signal over a spreadspectrum wherein the presence of the carrier signal is detectablewithout paired lines, such that it is difficult to remove the carriersignal from the video signal without rendering the video signalunwatchable and the resulting picture distorted.

Although Broughton and its improvements have been frequently used andwell received since their inception, the relative invisibility of thecarrier signal in the picture of the display device and the ease ofdetecting the carrier signal by a detector or from the display device bya hand-held device can be yet improved. A slight tendency to visibilityof the carrier signal in the active portion of the video signal mayoccur when the voltage of the carrier signal is increased for thepurpose of increasing the carrier signal's detectability, as televisionviewers might then slightly perceive the effects of the carrier signalon the visible picture, such as a slight tendency of visible lines or aslight deterioration in the picture quality. Since one of the advantagesof using Broughton is its invisibility to the human eyesight, anytendency of viewing the effects of the carrier signal is undesirable.

The invisibility challenge is typically resolved by reducing the voltage(i.e., as resultant luminosity) added to or removed from the selectedvideo scan lines. However, lowering the overall signal intensitydecreases the reliability of detecting the carrier signal. Despite thesuccess of the technology of Broughton and its improvements, wherein themodulation of video with carrier signals results in at no worse thansubliminal visual changes which are substantially invisible, there is aneed in the art for a new method and system for modulating a videosignal with a carrier signal wherein the signal is even more completelyinvisible and yet more reliably detected.

Modulated video signals are subject to tampering as the signal may beresized or otherwise altered such that the video signal isde-interlaced. When the video signal is re-interlaced, it may becomealtered such that the line to line differences between a first and asecond field may be read erroneously by a detector such that the carriersignal is shifted so that it is no longer on the desired lines or is onundesirable lines. The detection, removal or alternation of carriersignals may provide the unauthorized party with additional benefits oraccess to which the party would not otherwise be entitled. Accordingly,there is a need in the art to modulate a video signal with a carriersignal wherein the presence of the carrier signal is also detectable bydetecting the magnitude of line to line differences in a field of avideo signal.

SUMMARY

The following improvements for modulating a video signal with a carriersignal improve upon the methods and apparatus previously disclosed inBroughton, Ciardullo and Chupp. The present invention relates to methodsand apparatus for optimizing a carrier signal to be inserted in anactive portion of a video signal so as to increase the detectability ofthe carrier signal without noticeably increasing the alteration of thevideo signal to a viewer.

A video signal is first transmitted from a signal source to an encoder.An operator interacts with the encoder to control its operation, andthereafter the carrier signal is then selectively encoded by the encoderin the video signal over a time interval for signaling purposes, such asto signal an absence or presence (i.e., of the carrier signal) fordesired durations in the video signal. Upon modulating the video signal,the encoder produces a modulated video signal comprised of the videosignal and the carrier signal. The modulated video signal is thenprovided to a broadcast source for distribution to an end-user(“viewer”) who will view the program.

The method of encoding the carrier signal within the video signal firstcomprises an encoder obtaining the video signal from a signal source.The encoder thereafter generates a three dimensional matrix consistingof signal hiding parameters. The three dimensional matrix consists of aplurality of two dimensional sub-matrices each of which corresponds to aparticular hiding technique used with the present invention. A hidingtechnique is a method by which a computed amount of intensity may beadded to particular pixels in video signal without noticeably alteringthe picture of video signal. Each of the sub-matrices of the threedimensional signal hiding matrix contains a table of parameters withvalues that directly correspond to similarly positioned pixels of aframe of video signal. Once the three dimensional signal hiding matrixis generated, the three dimensional signal hiding matrix is transformedinto a two dimensional signal hiding matrix.

The encoder also generates a three dimensional matrix consisting oflimiting parameters. The three dimensional limiting matrix consists ofone or more two dimensional limiting sub-matrices, with each sub-matrixcontaining a number of values that correlate with the pixels of a frameof the video signal and indicate the maximum amount of intensity thatmay be added to the corresponding pixel of the video signal based on aparticular limiting technique. Thereafter, the encoder transforms thethree dimensional limiting matrix into a two dimensional limitingmatrix.

Once the generation and transforming of the signal hiding matrix andlimiting matrix is complete, the encoder compares the signal hidingmatrix with the limiting matrix to create a real encoding value matrix.The real encoding value matrix contains the maximum values of the twodimensional signal hiding matrix subject to the ceiling (i.e., maximumpermissible value) of the two dimensional limiting matrix. The encoderthen adjusts the real encoding value matrix by comparing its currentvalues against a base line value to ensure that a minimal level ofsignal is added to portions of the video signal where needed.

The encoder thereafter applies the direction of the carrier signal tothe magnitude of the values in the real encoding value matrix. Uponcompletion, the encoder applies the values of the real encoding valuematrix to the video signal according to a video modulation technique.

A broadcast source of the end user provides a modulated video signal toa decoder. The decoder determines whether a carrier signal is present inthe modulated video signal over a time interval and responds accordingto the desired application in which the decoder is used.

Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon examination of the following more detaileddescription and drawings in which like elements of the invention aresimilarly numbered throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first example flowchart of an encoding method.

FIG. 2 is a first example flowchart of a decoding method.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example encoder.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example decoder.

FIG. 5 is a second flowchart of an example encoding method.

FIG. 6 is a first timing diagram of prior art.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for an 8 kHz signal.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram for an 8 kHz and a 16 kHz signal.

FIG. 9 is a second timing diagram of prior art.

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram.

FIG. 11 is a second flowchart of an example encoding method.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of creating a signal hiding matrixaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method of transforming a signal hidingmatrix according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method of creating a limiting matrixaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method of transforming a limiting matrixaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of creating a real encoding valuematrix according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a method of applying the carrier signalaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method of signal hiding according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method of signal limiting according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a first decoding method according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a second decoding method according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a method of calculating an in-range valueaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a first histogram of a method of generating an in-range valueaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a second histogram of a method of generating an in-rangevalue according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a third decoding method according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the detection method according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of the detection/decoder box according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a first circumvention method according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a second circumvention method according to anexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a method, apparatus and system for optimalmodulation of a carrier signal within an active portion of a videosignal in a manner that the carrier signal cannot be easily stripped andthe detectability of the carrier signal is increased without noticeablyincreasing the alteration of the video signal to a viewer is illustratedin FIGS. 1-29.

Referring to FIG. 1, a video signal 18 is transmitted from a signalsource 10 to an encoder 12. Video signal 18 is preferably an analogvideo signal in NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) format,but may be other video signals or video signal formats compatible withthe present invention. Signal source 10 is typically a professionalgrade video tape player with a video tape containing a video program,but may also be other sources of video including a camcorder or adigital versatile disc (DVD) player with a DVD video containing a videoprogram. Encoder 12 is described in greater detail below.

Operator 16 interacts with encoder 12 to control operation of encoder12. Preferably, operator 16 is a person that interacts with encoder 12through the use of a computer or other electronic control device.However, operator 16 may consistent entirely of a computer or otherelectronic control device that directs operation of encoder 12 in anautomated manner.

A carrier signal 20 is selectively modulated within video signal 18 byencoder 12 in over a time interval by operator 16 for signalingpurposes, such as to indicate a signal presence or signal absence fordesired durations in the video signal 18. Upon modulating video signal18, encoder 12 outputs a modulated video signal 22 comprised of videosignal 18 and carrier signal 20. The process of modulating video signals18 is described in greater detail below.

Modulated video signal 22 is then provided to a broadcast source 14 fordistribution to an end-user who will view the video program. Broadcastsource 14 is preferably DVD media or other digital storage media that isprovided to one or more end users, but also may be other media sourcesincluding video tapes, television broadcast stations, cable or satellitesources or wireless sources that broadcast programs.

Referring to FIG. 2, broadcast source 14 provides modulated video signal22 to a detector 13. As discussed in greater detail below, detector 13determines whether a carrier signal 20 is present in modulated videosignal 22 preferably by the number of line to line differences over anumber of consecutive fields of video signal 18 during a time interval(e.g., a set number of fields or frames, clock ticks, or seconds.) Ifcarrier signal 20 is present, detector 13 provides indication of thepresence of carrier signal 20 to a signaled device 24 by providing itwith a signal presence. If carrier signal 20 is determined not to bepresent during the time interval, decoder 22 transmits a signal absence.Signaled device 24 is preferably any device which is capable ofreceiving and utilizing one or more signal absences (e.g., carriersignal 20 not present) and signal presences (e.g., carrier signal 20present), such as a digital video recorder that uses the absences andpresences to flag the checking of permissions to enable playback orrecording of a video program.

Detector 13 provides modulated video signal 22 to a display device 26.Display device 26 is preferably a digital video recorder, but may alsobe other devices capable of presenting and/or recording video signals 18such as an analog or digital television. Display device 26 and signaleddevice 24 may be combined into a signal unit.

Referring to FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of encoder 12 is shown tofirst comprise a digital video input 30 that is capable of receivingvideo signal 18 from signal source 10 and passing it to encodermicro-controller 36. However, encoder 12 may receive an analog videosignal 18 via analog video input 32 and analog to digital converter 34.Analog to digital converter 34 digitizes the analog video signal 18according to known techniques such that it may be provided to encodermicro-controller 36 for use with the present invention.

Encoder micro-controller 36 is electronically connected to a carrierpresence 38, which provides encoder micro-controller 36 with the timingof where, when and at what intensity encoder 12 should selectively raiseand lower the intensity of scan lines of video signal 18 or portionsthereof at the direction of operator 16. Preferably, such instructionsare received by carrier presence 38 via a serial port. However it shouldappreciated in the art of computer hardware that other deviceinterconnects of encoder 12 are contemplated including via universalserial bus (USB), “Firewire” protocol (IEEE 1394), and various wirelessprotocols. In an alternate embodiment, carrier presence 38 may be anoperator interface so that operator 16 can directly interface withencoder 12. In a further alternate embodiment, carrier presence 38 maybe implemented by and made integral with encoder software 50.

When encoder micro-controller 36 receives information from carrierpresence 38 and video signal 18, software 50 manages further operationof encoder 12 and directs encoder micro-controller 36 to store thechrominance information (and/or luminance information as desired) ofvideo signal 18 in storage 40. Storage 40 has the capacity to hold andretain signals (e.g., frames of video signal 18 and corresponding audiosignals) in an electromagnetic form for access by a computer processor.Storage 40 may be primary storage and/or secondary storage, and includememory and hard disk drive.

Encoder electronics 42 at the direction of software 50 and encodermicro-controller 36 uses the methods of the present invention as will bedescribed in greater detail below to modulate carrier signal 20 into theluminance of video signal 18 thereby creating modulated video signal 22.The resulting modulated video signal 22 is then sent digitally fromencoder 12 by digital video output 44, or in analog form by convertingthe resulting digital signal with digital to analog converter 46 andoutputting modulated video signal 22 by analog video output 48. However,it should be appreciated that encoder 12 (and detector 13 as describedbelow) need not comprise both digital video input 30 and digital videooutput 44 in combination with analog video input 32 and analog videooutput 48, and the one selection of inputs and outputs may be selectedfor encoder 13.

Encoder micro-controller 36 may consist of more than one processorand/or microprocessor to manage the various processing and input/outputof the present invention, but preferably consists of a single processor.Moreover, the specific electronics and software used by encoder 12 maydiffer when its technology is included in a pre-existing device such asopposed to a stand alone device custom device. Encoder 12 may comprisevarying degrees of hardware and software, as various components mayinterchangeably be used.

Referring to FIG. 4, detector 13 receives modulated video signal 22 byanalog video input 32 when signal 22 is analog, and by digital videoinput 30 when signal 22 is digital. Digital video input 30 directlypasses modulated video signal 22 to detector processor 60, while analogvideo input 32 digitizes modulated video signal 28 by use of analog todigital converter 34 before passing modulated video signal 22 todetector processor 60.

In the preferred embodiment, detector processor 60 stores thechrominance of modulated video signal 22 in storage 40 while detectorelectronics 62 detects scan lines or portions of modulated video signal22 thereof that have increased or decreased intensity. The preferredembodiment of the detection scheme used with the present invention isdescribed below.

Signal presences and signal absences are transferred from detector 13 tosignaled device 24 by carrier indicator 68. Detector 13 also outputsmodulated video signal 22 in digital format via digital video output 44,and modulated video signal 22 in analog format by first convertingsignal 22 from the digital to analog format by use of digital to analogconverter 46, and then outputting signal 22 via analog video output 48.

Referring to FIG. 5, the general encoding method of the presentinvention comprises a first step 80 where encoder 12 obtains videosignal 18 from signal source 10. Thereafter, operator 16 at step 81directs encoder 12 to modulate one or more of the fields of video signal18 during a time interval, and such directions are received by encoder12 through carrier presence 38. Preferably, a number of consecutivefirst fields in consecutive frames of video signal 18 are encoded, withthe second fields in the frames of video signal 18 left unencoded.However, it be appreciated that by use of the term “first field” asutilized with respect to the present invention, such field may be thefirst original field or the second interlaced field of the frame ofvideo signal 18, with the term “second field” being the other field. Inaddition, the use of the terms “first field” and “second field” mayrefer to a subsection of the fields of video signal 18, such that notall scan lines but a plurality of scan lines of the fields are referredto as “first field” and “second field”.

Encoder 12 at decision point 82 determines if encoder 12 is to encodethe current field of video signal 18 based on the previously receivedoperator instructions. If no, encoder 12 skips the current field andproceeds to decision point 87. If yes, encoder 12 at step 83 designatesscan lines of a first field of video signal 18 as up lines or downlines, such that up lines may only have the intensity of its pixelsincreased and down lines may only have the intensity of its pixelsdecreased as described in greater detail below. Thereafter, encoder 12at step 84 calculates the optimum amount of pixel adjustment asdescribed in greater detail below.

Encoder 12 at step 86 adds intensity to selected pixels on the up linesand reduces intensity to selected pixels on the down lines, the processof which is described in greater detail below. Upon completion, encoder12 at decision point 87 determines whether there are remaining fields ofvideo signal to analyze. If yes, encoder 12 advances to the next fieldin video signal 18 at step 88 and returns to decision point 82. If no,encoder 12 at step 89 provides the resulting modulated video signal 22to broadcast source 14.

Unlike Broughton and Ciardullo, encoder 12 during the foregoing encodingprocess preferably does need not to pair the scan lines of video signal18 for encoded fields such that the scan lines are in a high/lowconfiguration (e.g., a first line has increased intensity, a second linehas decreased intensity, a third line has increased intensity, a fourthline has decreased intensity, and so on throughout the modulated field)throughout the entire field. Rather, an irregular configuration of thescan lines in a field containing a significant amount of high/low orlow/high changes in adjacent scan lines creates sufficient line to linedifferences such that detector 13 will recognize the presence of carriersignal 20 in modulated video signal 22 while not resulting infrequencies that are easily detected by an unauthorized device. Forexample, under the present invention detector 13 recognizes a modulatedfield having two consecutive scan lines with increased intensity, onescan line with decreased intensity, one scan line with increasedintensity, and two more scan lines with decreased intensity. Preferably,the scan lines are not in the high/low configuration throughout thefield as further described in detail below.

A line to line difference signifies that there is a noticeable amount ofadded intensity present in a pair of adjacent scan lines in a field, andwith the present invention every scan line is preferably not pairedthroughout the field. The ability to detect such line to linedifferences is enhanced when the voltage is increased on lines anddecreased on lines that are adjacent to each other, such that theresulting comparison of the scan lines reveals an unnatural change inoverall intensity between two adjacent scan lines. Although the naturalappearance of the video program presented by video signal 18 may providea limited amount of signal differences, this amount is effectivelyremoved from visibility by comparing a first field to a secondunmodulated field.

Referring to FIG. 6, a first picture 200 is shown to comprise four scanlines of modulated video signal 22 encoded with the method described byBroughton in the high/low arrangement. As shown in a second picture 202,two scan lines of modulated video signal 22 are encoded with the methoddescribed by Ciardullo and shown in a chip pattern arrangement. Thepresent invention preferably does not raise and lower the intensity ofan entire scan line as in Broughton, nor does it use the chip patternsof Ciardullo. Instead, the present invention selectively adds or removesintensity to various pixels in a scan line as described in greaterdetail below. The absence of paired scan lines throughout the field andthe use of a varied pattern of high and low changes generates variousfrequencies that cannot be detected or removed with a single filter.

Referring to FIG. 7, the result of Broughton's modulation of paired scanlines in a field of modulated video signal 22 is a consistent 8 kHzvideo signal as shown in a first picture 204 generates a signalfrequency as shown in a second picture 206 which may be detected by useof a filter.

Referring to FIG. 8, the addition of a second frequency such as a 16 kHzsignal to the 8 kHz signal in Broughton as shown in a first picture 208spreads the spectrum so as to make the resulting frequencies exceedinglydifficult to detect by an unauthorized person as shown in a secondpicture 210. A first picture 212 in FIG. 9 shows the readings of carriersignal 20 in Broughton are synchronized to the horizontal synch andresult in a corresponding frequency of approximately 8 kHz as shown in asecond picture 214.

Referring to FIG. 10, the varied change in intensities of the preferredembodiment of the present invention as shown in a first picture 216results in a number of frequencies, thereby spreading the spectrum suchthat a single frequency is not present as shown in a second picture 218.Because the patterns at which carrier signal 20 can be modulated in thepresent invention are varied, the resulting frequencies will varydepending on what scan lines encoder 12 increases or decreases intensityof the pixels and by the voltage added to or subtracted from thesepixels.

Referring to FIG. 11, the preferred method of determining the optimumlevel of carrier signal 20 for the pixels on the scan lines of videosignal 18 is shown to first comprise a step 102 where a device (e.g.,encoder 12 or detector 13) generates a three dimensional matrixconsisting of signal hiding values as described in greater detail below.The three dimensional matrix consists of a plurality of two dimensionalsub-matrices each of which corresponds to a particular hiding techniqueused with the present invention. Each of the sub-matrices of the threedimensional signal hiding matrix consists of a sub-matrix (i.e., table)of positions that directly correspond with similarly positioned pixelsof a frame of video signal 18. The values recorded in the positions ofthe sub-matrices indicate the maximum amount of intensity that may beadded to (or subtracted from if the scan line is a down line) thecorresponding pixel based on a particular hiding technique, where eachhiding technique may indicate a different value based upon an obtainedmeasurement.

Once the three dimensional signal hiding matrix is generated, the threedimensional signal hiding matrix at step 104 is transformed into a twodimensional signal hiding matrix as described in greater detail below.By transforming the three dimensional signal hiding matrix, the devicehas a two dimensional signal hiding matrix which has a plurality ofvalues that correspond to the maximum signal hiding capability ofcorresponding pixels of the frame of video signal 18 according to allutilized signal hiding techniques.

The device at step 106 generates a three dimensional matrix consistingof limiting parameters as described in greater detail below. The threedimensional limiting matrix consists of one or more two dimensionallimiting sub-matrices, with each sub-matrix comprising a table of valuesthat correlate with the pixels of a frame of video signal 18 andindicate the maximum amount (i.e., ceiling) of intensity that may beadded to or subtracted from the corresponding pixel based on aparticular limiting technique as discussed in greater detail below.

The device thereafter at step 108 transforms the three dimensionallimiting matrix into a two dimensional limiting matrix as described ingreater detail below. By transforming the three dimensional limitingmatrix, the device has a two dimensional limiting matrix with a table ofvalues that correspond to a ceiling on the amount of intensity that canbe added to corresponding pixels of the frame of video signal 18 beforethe change may become visible to the viewer of video signal 18.

Once the generation and transformation of the signal hiding matrix andlimiting matrix is complete, the device at step 110 compares the signalhiding matrix with the limiting matrix to create a real encoding valuematrix as described in greater detail below. The real encoding valuematrix contains the maximum values of the two dimensional signal hidingmatrix subject to the ceiling of the two dimensional limiting matrix. Atstep 112, the device adjusts the real encoding value matrix by comparingits values against a plurality of base line values to ensure that aminimal level of signal is added to portions of video signal 18 whereneeded, despite that the device previously determined that the inclusionof the additional intensity would potentially make a slight visualdisturbance in the picture of video signal 18.

Once the magnitude of the values of real encoding value matrix are set,the device at step 114 applies the direction of carrier signal 20 to themagnitude of the values in the real encoding value matrix as describedin greater detail below. Therefore, the positions of the real encodingvalue matrix indicate the amount of intensity that a pixel is to beincreased or decreased for a particular frame of video signal 18.

Upon completion, the signal hiding optimization method is complete andthe device thereafter applies the values of the real encoding valuematrix to video signal 18 according to a video encoding technique asdescribed in greater detail above. Alternatively, the device may insteadof using the full values of the positions of the real encoding valuematrix may in a preferred embodiment optionally use a random orpseudo-random portion of the full values of the positions so as tofurther reduce the possibility of a viewer perceiving carrier signal 20in video signal 18.

Referring to FIG. 12, the process of generating a signal hiding matrixis shown to comprise a first step 120 where the device creates asub-matrix for a particular hiding technique. The sub-matrix has signalhiding positions corresponding to each of the pixels of the frame ofvideo signal 18 or a predetermined portion thereof. Thereafter, thedevice at step 122 evaluates the pixels of video signal 18 according toa particular hiding technique, such as the edge encoding techniquedescribed in greater detail below. At step 124, the device records thevalues obtained by the signal hiding technique in positions of thesub-matrix that correspond to the pixels of the frame of video signal18. Once the values are recorded, at step 126 the sub-matrix of thesignal hiding technique is added to the signal hiding matrix.

The device thereafter at decision point 128 determines whether there areadditional signal hiding techniques for the particular frame of videosignal 18. If yes, then the device returns to step 120 to create a newsub-matrix for inclusion in the signal hiding matrix for the additionalsignal hiding technique. If no, the device completes the process forcreating a signal hiding matrix.

Referring to FIG. 13, the process of transforming the signal hidingmatrix is shown to first comprise a first step 130 at which the deviceinitializes a series of pointers to the initial positions in each of thesub-matrices of the signal hiding matrix. Thereafter, the device at step132 creates a two dimensional signal hiding matrix and initializes apointer to its initial position. Thus, the position that is beingpointed in the two dimensional matrix corresponds to the same positionin each of the sub-matrices of the three dimensional signal hidingmatrix.

The device at step 134 determines the largest value among thecorresponding positions in the sub-matrices of the three dimensionalsignal hiding matrix, thus determining according to the various hidingtechniques the maximum possible alteration (i.e., increase or decrease)in intensity for a particular pixel. The value for the maximumalteration in step 136 is stored in a corresponding position in the twodimensional signal hiding matrix.

The device at decision point 138 then determines whether there areadditional corresponding positions in the two and three dimensionalsignal hiding matrices. If yes, then the pointers associated with thesub-matrices of the three dimensional signal hiding matrix and twodimensional signal hiding matrix advance to the next position at step140 and return to step 134. If no, then the device completes the processof transforming the signal hiding matrix.

Referring to FIG. 14, the process for generating a limiting matrix isshown to first comprise a step 150 at which the device creates alimiting sub-matrix for a particular limiting technique. Thereafter, thedevice at step 152 evaluates the frame of video signal 18 according to aparticular limiting technique. The device at step 154 records valuesobtained by the limiting technique in the limiting positions of thelimiting sub-matrix for corresponding pixels. Upon completion, thedevice at step 156 adds the limiting sub-matrix to the three dimensionallimiting matrix.

At decision point 158, the device determines whether there are morelimiting techniques for the frame of video signal 18. If yes, then thedevice returns to step 150 for the creation of an additional limitingsub-matrix. If no, the device completes the process of creating thelimiting matrix.

Referring to FIG. 15, the process for transforming the limiting matrixis shown to first comprise a step 160 at which the device initializes aseries of pointers to the initial positions in each of the sub-matricesof the limiting hiding matrix. Thereafter, the device at step 162creates a two dimensional limiting matrix and initializes a pointer tothe corresponding initial positions. Thus, the position that is beingpointed to in the two dimensional matrix corresponds to the samepositions in each of the sub-matrices of the three dimensional limitingmatrix.

The device at step 164 determines the smallest value among thecorresponding positions in the sub-matrices of the three dimensionallimiting matrix, thus determining according to the limiting techniquesthe ceiling of the intensity that can be added to a particular pixel.The ceiling value in step 166 is stored in a corresponding position inthe two dimensional limiting matrix.

The device at decision point 168 determines whether there are additionalcorresponding positions in the two and three dimensional limitingmatrices. If yes, then the pointers associated with the sub-matrices ofthe three dimensional limiting matrix and two dimensional limitingmatrix advance to the next positions at step 170 and return to step 164.If no, then the device completes the process of transforming thelimiting matrix.

Referring to FIG. 16, the process for creating the real encoding valuematrix is shown to first comprise a step 180 at which the device createsthe real encoding value matrix and initializes pointers to the initialpositions in the two dimensional signal hiding matrix, two dimensionallimiting matrix and real encoding value matrix. Thereafter, the deviceat step 182 compares the signal hiding value with the limiting value incorresponding positions of the signal hiding matrix and limiting matrixto determine whether the value of the signal hiding matrix exceeds theceiling as indicated by the value in the limiting matrix.

If the device at decision point 184 determines that the signal hidingvalue is not greater than the limiting value, then the device at step186 copies the signal hiding value into the corresponding position ofthe real encoding value matrix. Thus, the device determined that thesignal hiding value does not exceed the limiting value.

If the device at decision point 184 determines that the signal hidingvalue is greater than or equal to the limiting value, then the device atstep 188 copies the limiting value into the corresponding position ofthe real encoding value matrix. Thus, the device determined that thesignal hiding value exceeded the ceiling, and accordingly must bereduced to the ceiling value.

After the insertion into the real encoding value matrix at step 186 orstep 188, the device at decision point 190 determines whether there aremore positions left in the signal hiding matrix, limiting matrix andreal encoding value matrix. If yes, then the device proceeds to step 192at which it advances the pointers in the signal hiding matrix, limitingmatrix and real encoding value matrix to the next positions. Thereafter,the device returns to step 182 to compare the values. If no, then thedevice completes the process of creating the real encoding matrix.

Referring to FIG. 17, the process for applying the direction of thecarrier signal to the magnitude of the values in the real encoding valuematrix is shown to first comprise a step 200 at which encoder 12 pointsto the initial position of the real encoding value matrix. Thereafter,encoder 12 at step 202 obtains carrier signal 20 and the associateddirectional information for the value of carrier signal 20 at thecurrent position in the real encoding value matrix. It should beappreciated that the direction information for the scan lines and thepixels associated therewith were designated by encoder 12 at step 82 asdescribed above.

Encoder 12 at decision point 204 determines whether the direction ofcarrier signal 20 is up or down, such that encoder 12 will add to theintensity (i.e., “up”) or subtract from the intensity (i.e., “down”) ofthe pixels of the associated video scan line. If the direction is up,encoder 12 at step 206 does not alter the current value in the realencoding value matrix. If the direction is down, then encoder 12 at step208 replaces the value at the position in the real encoding value matrixwith the negative of the value.

After encoder 12 processes the selected value at steps 206 or 208,encoder 12 proceeds to decision point 210 to determine if there are morepositions in the real encoding value matrix which it must analyze inview of the direction of carrier signal 20. If yes, encoder 12 at step212 advances the pointer in the real encoding value matrix to the nextposition and returns to step 202. If no, encoder 12 completes theprocess of carrier signal application.

Referring back to FIG. 5, when the real encoding value matrix is finallycomplete after step 114, encoder 12 at step 86 applies the combinationof the real encoding value matrix and carrier signal 20 to a frame ofvideo signal 18. Thereupon, encoder 12 at step 89 produces from videosignal 18 modulated video signal 22 that is optimally modulated withcarrier signal 20 and ready for transmission or distribution.

The present invention contemplates various and multiple techniques forhiding signals with the present invention. Each of these techniquesgenerates a respective sub-matrix which is added to the threedimensional signal hiding matrix.

Referring to FIG. 18, a first example of such a signal hiding technique,hereinafter termed “edge enhancements”, is shown. The device at step 400first initializes a pointer to the first scan line in the frame of videosignal 18. Thereafter, the device at step 402 initializes a pointer tothe first pixel in the current scan line. After setting the appropriatepointers, the device at step 404 measures as per the video scan on eachscan line in the frame from left to right the intensity of twoconsecutive pixels starting from the current pixel, which arehereinafter referred to as pixels 1 and 2 regardless of their positionon the scan line.

The device at decision point 406 determines whether the current scanline is an up line as described above. If the current scan line is an upline, then the device proceeds at decision point 408 to determinewhether the intensity of pixel 1 is greater than the intensity of pixel2. If yes, the device has determined that a sharp edge (i.e., contrastin an adjacent pixel in the same frame of video signal 18) is present invideo signal 18 and at step 410 the device records the ability tomodulate a greater amount of intensity by storing a higher value withrespect to pixel 1 in the signal hiding sub-matrix. If no, the device atstep 412 stores a normal hiding value with respect to pixel 1 in thesignal hiding sub-matrix.

After recording the signal hiding value for pixel 1, the device at step414 determines whether the intensity of pixel 2 is greater than the nextpixel (i.e., pixel 3). If yes, the device at step 416 records theincreased value of intensity to pixel 2 in the signal hiding sub-matrixand records the same value for all other pixels on the current scanline. Otherwise, if pixel 2 is not greater than pixel 3, then the deviceat step 418 records a normal value in the sub-matrix position for pixel2.

If the device at step 410 determines that the current scan line is notan up line (i.e., a down line), then the device proceeds at decisionpoint 420 to determine whether the intensity of pixel 1 is less than theintensity of pixel 2. If the intensity is less, the device hasdetermined that a sharp edge is present in video signal 18 and at step442 the device records the ability to modulate a larger amount ofintensity by storing a higher value with respect to pixel 1 in thesignal hiding sub-matrix. If no, the device at step 424 stores a normalhiding value with respect to pixel 1 in the signal hiding sub-matrix.

Upon completion of either step 422 or step 424, the device proceeds todecision point 426 to determine whether the intensity of pixel 2 is lessthan the intensity of pixel 3. If the intensity is less, then at step416 the device records the increased value of intensity to pixel 2 inthe signal hiding sub-matrix and records the same value for all otherpixels on the current scan line. Otherwise, the device at step 428records a normal value in the sub-matrix position for pixel 2.

The device then determines at decision point 430 whether there are morepixels left on the current scan line. If yes, the device proceeds tostep 432 where it sets the current pixel 3 to pixel 1. Thereafter, thedevice returns to step 404 to further process the pixels of the scanline of video signal 18.

If at decision point 430 there are no pixels left on the current scanline of video signal 18, then the device proceeds to decision point 434to determine if there are addition scan lines to process in the frame ofvideo signal 18. If yes, then the device proceeds to step 436 where thepointer advances to the next row in the signal hiding sub-matrixrepresenting the next scan line in the frame. If no, then the process ofedge encoding is complete.

Another signal hiding technique of the present invention utilizesmotion, or spatial changes in luminance over time (hereinafter termed“spatial changes”), as a factor in determining how much intensity may beadded to or removed from various pixels on the scan lines of videosignal 18. The device looks at the same pixel over multiple frames ofvideo signal 18 to determine if there is a large spatial change, andthus an edge in the temporal direction. If there is such a change,during the motion hiding technique the device records appropriate valuesin the signal hiding sub-matrix to reflect the amount of intensity thatmay be added or removed from the pixel for each frame of video signal 18for all of the pixels in the frame.

Yet another hiding technique of the present invention is the luminancehiding technique (hereinafter termed “luminance levels”). With thistechnique, the device generates hiding values for a signal hidingsub-matrix based on the determination that the lighter the luminance ofa pixel the more the intensity may be altered by the device, while thedarker the luminance the less the pixel intensity may be altered. Forexample, at lower levels of luminosity the value recorded in the signalhiding sub-matrix by the device may be three, while with higher levelsof luminosity the value recorded may be one. The relationship betweenluminosity and intensity and the value recorded in the signal hidingsub-matrix is preferably linear, but may also be gamma corrected asdesired.

The present invention preferably uses edge encoding, spatial changes andluminance levels as hiding techniques with the present invention.However, it should be understood that other techniques includingchrominance may be used as hiding techniques and are felt to fall withinthe present invention. The present invention also contemplates the useof one or more limiting techniques. In the preferred embodiment, encoder12 utilizes a luminance limiting technique.

Referring to FIG. 19, the luminance limiting technique is shown to firstcomprise a step 500 where the device implements the luminance limitingtechnique by initializing a pointer to the first row in the limitingsub-matrix. Thereafter, the device at step 502 directs the pointer tothe first position in the current row of the limiting sub-matrix.

The device at step 503 measures the luminance of the pixel from videosignal 18 that corresponds to the current position in the limitingsub-matrix. Thereafter, the device at decision point 504 determines ifthe pixel is too dark to increase the intensity. If yes, the deviceproceeds to step 506 and records a value in the limiting sub-matrix toindicate the ceiling by which the device 12 can alter the intensity ofthe current pixel in video signal 18. If no, the device proceeds to step508 to record a maximum value in the limiting sub-matrix to indicatethat the corresponding pixel does not have a ceiling.

The device at step 510 determines if there is another position on thecurrent row of limiting sub-matrix. If yes, the device proceeds to step512 where it advances the pointer to the next position in the row andreturns to decision point 504 thereafter. If no, the device proceeds todecision point 514 to determine whether there are more lines in limitingsub-matrix. If yes, the device proceeds to step 516 to advance thepointer to the next row and thereafter proceeds to step 502. If no, thedevice terminates the luminance limiting technique.

In addition to the foregoing luminance limiting technique, furtherlimiting techniques are felt to fall within the present invention andmay be developed based on observation of the effects of modulation onvideo signal 18.

Referring to FIG. 20, the preferred detecting method is shown at step600 to first comprise detector 13 zeroing out a signal strengthindicator, which accumulates the net result of line to line differencesover a series of fields during a time interval and is preferablyaccessible in an area of storage 40. In addition, the current field ofvideo signal 18 at step 600 is the first field.

Detector 13 at step 602 reads the current field of video signal 18 intoa signal matrix in storage 40, wherein the signal matrix has positionsthat correspond to the pixels of a field of video signal 18 and arepreferably ordered in pixel order from left to right and from top tobottom.

Upon completion of step 602, detector 13 sets the current pointer to thefirst line of the signal matrix at step 604. Thereafter, detector 13 atstep 606 configures previous pointer to the position of current pointerand then sets current pointer to the same position on the next row inthe signal matrix.

Detector 13 at step 610 obtains a difference value by subtracting thevalue at the position pointed to by the previous pointer from the valueat the position pointed to by the current pointer. The difference valueis verified to be a proper value at step 612, such that if thedifference value is out of range then it is discarded and detector 13advances to step 616. The difference value may be out of range if thereis a stark contrast in intensity of adjacent pixels, such as a blackpixel next to a white pixel. If the difference value is within therange, then detector 13 at step 614 adds the difference value betweenthe two pixels to the line accumulator.

Detector 13 at decision point 616 determines whether the current row ofthe signal matrix is complete. If no, then detector 13 proceeds to step615 to increment current pointer and previous pointer to the nextpositions on their respective rows and returns to step 610. If yes(i.e., the row is complete), then the absolute value of the lineaccumulation is added to the field accumulator at step 618.

Detector 13 at decision point 620 determines whether there is anotherrow in the signal matrix. If yes, then detector 13 resets the lineaccumulator at step 622 and returns to step 606. If no, then detector 13has determined that all rows in the signal matrix have been read andtherefore proceeds to decision point 624.

Detector 13 at decision point 624 determines whether the field that wasjust analyzed is the first field in the frame of video signal 18. If thefield is not the first field (i.e., the second field), detector 13subtracts the field accumulation from the signal strength accumulationat step 630. If the field is the first field, detector 13 at step 626adds the field accumulation to the signal strength accumulator. Byadding a first modulated field and subtracting a second unmodulatedfield, the natural frequencies created by the picture of video signal 18will be removed since the second field is not modified and does notcontain carrier signal 22.

Detector 13 at decision point 628 determines whether the interval (e.g.,time period) over which it reviews a series of fields has expired. If ithas not expired, then detector 13 advances to the next field in videosignal 18 at step 632. Thereafter, detector 13 returns to step 602 toanalyze the next field of video signal 18.

If the entire interval has been seen at decision point 628 (e.g., thetime period has expired), detector 13 at decision point 640 determineswhether the signal strength is greater than the detection threshold. Ifthe signal strength is not greater, then carrier signal 22 is notpresent in video signal 18 and the signaled device 24 at step 642receives a signal absence. If the signal strength is greater, thensignaled device 24 at step 644 receives a signal presence.

Referring to FIG. 21, a first alternate decoding method of the presentinvention is shown to first comprise a step 710 where detector 13captures the luminance of the pixels for a field of video signal 18 andstores the luminance values associated with each pixel in scan lineorder in a signal matrix on storage 40. In addition, detector 13 at step710 initializes a line accumulator to accumulate the difference valuebetween corresponding pixels on adjacent scan lines.

Detector 13 at step 712 directs a current position pointer to the firstposition of the second row in the signal matrix. Detector 13 at step 714thereafter calculates a difference value by subtracting the value at thecurrent position pointer from the value at the corresponding positionthat is one row above it in the signal matrix to determine thedifference in intensity between the two positions.

Detector 13 at decision point 716 determines whether the previouslycalculated difference value is below a threshold to verify that thedifference value is a proper value. If the difference value is out ofrange because there is a stark contrast in intensity of adjacent pixels,such as a black pixel next to a white pixel, then the difference valueis discarded and detector 13 proceeds to decision point 720. If thedifference value is within the range, then at step 718 the differencevalue is added to the line accumulation.

Detector 13 at decision point 720 determines whether the currentposition pointer has reached the end of the current row in the signalmatrix. If there are values left to be read, then detector 13 advancesthe current position pointer to the first position on the next row ofthe signal matrix at step 722 and thereafter returns to step 714.

If at decision point 720 the analysis of the row of the signal matrix iscomplete, then detector 13 proceeds to decision point 724 to determinewhether the line accumulator is within the in-range (as defined below).If the line accumulator is not within the in-range, then detector 13discards the line accumulator. If the line accumulator is within thein-range, then detector 13 increments the in-range line count at step726. Thereafter, detector 13 at decision point 728 determines whetherthe field is complete. If no, detector 13 advances to the next row inthe signal matrix at step 730. If yes, detector 13 proceeds to decisionpoint 732.

Detector 13 at step 728 determines whether it has considered all rows inthe signal matrix. If no, then detector 13 proceeds to step 730 where itmoves the current pointer to the next row in the signal matrix. If thesignal matrix representing the field is complete, then detector 13 atdecision point 732 determines whether the in-range line count is greaterthan the in-range threshold. Accordingly, detector 13 attempts todetermine at decision point 732 whether the magnitude of line to linedifferences over the in-range is typical of modulated video signal 22 orvideo signal 18. If the in-range line count is not greater, thendetector 13 directs that signaled device 24 should receive a signalabsence at step 735. Thereafter, detector 13 at decision point 736determines if there are additional fields. If yes, detector 13 returnsto step 710. If not, the decoding process is complete.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing decoding method may bemodified such that a signal absence and signal presence is not providedbased on the review of a single field of video signal 18, but ratherbased on the review of multiple fields (i.e., over a time interval).Thus, instead of a carrier presence or carrier absence provided at step736 and step 736, detector 13 receives an indication of fields withmodulated signal 22 and fields with video signal 18, and thereafter at adecision point determines if the number of fields with modulated signal22 exceeds a threshold. If yes, then detector 13 reproduces a carrierpresence for the time interval, and if no detector 13 reproduces acarrier absence for the time interval.

Referring to FIG. 22, the method for generating the in-range by use of acomparator is shown at step 800 to first comprise the comparatorcapturing line to line differences of modulated video signal 22 for atime interval as described above. Preferably, comparator has thetechnology of detector 13 except that it processes and retains thevarious signals differently than detector 13 so as to provide thenecessary functionality to analyze video signal 18 to determine theoptimal area for detecting the difference between modulated video signal22 and an unencoded video signal 18. Further, the time interval thatcomparator gathers its data is preferably at least five to ten minutes,but may be much greater as desired for increased accuracy and greaterdata.

Comparator at step 802 captures the line to line differences ofmodulated video signal 22 over a time interval. Preferably, the timeinterval of steps 800 and 802 are nearly the same. Thereafter, at step804, comparator generates a plot 700 of the frequency of the captureddata of modulated video signal 22 and unmodulated video signal 18 asshown in FIG. 23. Thereafter, operator 16 of comparator determines theareas on the plot (e.g., as shown in FIG. 23) where there is a widerange of difference between the modulated video signal 22 andunmodulated video signal 18.

At step 808, operator 16 determines an optimal area for detecting thedifference between modulated video signal 22 and unmodulated videosignal 18. This range is designated as in-range 96 as shown in FIG. 24.

In a further alternate embodiment, the number of fields which have asufficient number of in-range differences by either of the previouslydiscussed alternate embodiments are compared relative to the number offields considered during a time interval, and if the percentage or totalnumber of fields that have a sufficient number are present during thetime interval then carrier signal 22 is considered present by detector13 during the time interval as the magnitude of the in-range differencesis sufficient.

Referring to FIG. 25, another method of detecting carrier signal 20 isshown to first comprise a step 750 where detector 13 obtains and readsthe first field of video signal 18. Thereafter, detector 13 at decisionpoint 752 determines if the current field is the second field of thecurrent frame of video signal 18. If no, detector 13 at step 754calculates and stores the energy encoded by the signal hidingoptimization method described above and thereafter proceeds to decisionpoint 762. If yes, detector 13 at step 756 compares the optimizedencoding area of the first field with the same area in a second field todetermine whether the frame of video signal 18 was encoded.

Upon completion of step 756, detector 13 at decision point 758determines if the frame is encoded. If yes, detector 13 accumulates theencoded energy in an encoded field value and proceeds to decision point762. If not, detector 13 proceeds directly to decision point 762.

Detector 13 at decision point 762 determines if there are more fields toconsider during the time interval. If yes, detector 13 advances to thenext field in video signal 18 at step 764 and returns to decision point752. If no, detector 13 proceeds to decision point 766.

If the time interval is complete at decision point 762, detector 13 atdecision point 766 determines whether the encoded field value is greaterthan a detection threshold. If the encoded field value is not greater,then carrier signal 22 is not present in video signal 18 and signaleddevice 24 at step 770 receives a signal absence. If the signal strengthis greater, then signaled device 24 at step 768 receives a signalpresence.

Referring to FIG. 26, the components in a system for detecting the lineto line differences in scan lines is shown to first comprise broadcastsource 14 transmitting a modulated video signal 22 to detection/decodebox 28. As further described below, detection/decode box 28 determinesthe line to line differences and preferably removes carrier signal 20from modulated video signal 22 by evening the intensities of the pixelsof the scan lines of modulated video signal 22. Thereafter,detection/decode box 28 provides unencoded video signal 18 to anexternal device 19 under the direction of the user of detection/decodebox 28. Alternatively, detection/decode box 28 may not output unencodedvideo signal 18 but may instead incorporate a data output that transmitsthe line to line differences and/or other data to a device under thedirection of the user of detection/decode box 28 for the ultimatepurpose of removing carrier signal 20 from modulated video signal 22.Thus, detection/decoder box 28 operates differently with the presentinvention as it is not attempting to receive a signal presence or signalabsence but is rather attempting to utilize modulated video signal 22 asthough it was unmodulated video signal 18.

Referring to FIG. 27, detection/decoder box 28 receives modulated videosignal 22 by analog video input 32 when signal 22 is analog, and bydigital video input 30 when signal 22 is digital. Digital video input 30directly passes modulated video signal 22 to frequency detection 90,while analog video input 32 digitizes modulated video signal 22 by useof analog to digital converter 34 before passing modulated video signal22 to frequency detection 90.

Frequency detection 90 detects one or more frequencies in modulatedvideo signal 22 that result from modulating carrier signal 20 in videosignal 18. Optional system restore circuit 92 respectively adds orsubtracts the inverse of the voltage added or subtracted to therespective pixels of up lines or the down lines of modulated videosignal 22 so as to negate the presence of carrier signal 20 in modulatedvideo signal 22. As an alternative, detection/decoder box 28 may furthercomprise a data output 47 that provides the line to line differences toexternal device 19.

The resulting unmodulated video signal 18 is then sent digitally fromsystem restore 92 by digital video output 44, or in analog form byconverting the resulting digital signal with digital to analog converter46 and outputting unmodulated video signal 18 by analog video output 48.It should be appreciated that the resulting unmodulated video signal 18may not be identical (i.e., as high of quality) to the original videosignal 18, but program presented by the resulting unmodulated videosignal 18 should be nearly identical.

Referring to FIG. 28, a first circumvention method of the presentinvention comprises a first step 800 where a circumvention device readsvideo signal 18 from broadcast source 14 and initializes a pointer tothe first field of video signal 18. Thereafter, the circumvention deviceat step 802 processes the current field of video signal 18.

The circumvention device at step 804 determines if the current field isthe first field of the frame of video signal 18. If yes, thecircumvention device does not alter video signal 18 at step 806 andproceeds to decision point 810. If no, the circumvention device raisesthe noise floor of the second field of video signal 18 at step 808 andproceeds to decision point 810.

The circumvention device at step 810 determines if there are additionalfields in video signal 18. If yes, the circumvention device at step 812advances to the next field of video signal 18 and returns to step 802.If no, the process for circumventing the present invention by raisingthe noise floor is complete.

Referring to FIG. 29, a second circumvention method of the presentinvention comprises a first step 820 where the circumvention devicereads video signal 18 and initializes a pointer to the first frame ofvideo signal 18. Thereafter, at step 822, the circumvention devicestores the current frame of video signal 18. The circumvention devicethen rotates the current frame of video signal 18 around the Z-axis.

The circumvention device at step 826 determines if there are additionalframes in video signal 18. If yes, the circumvention device at step 828advances to the next frame of video signal 18 and returns to step 822.If no, the process for circumventing the present invention by raisingthe rotating the frames of the video signal is complete.

In an alternate embodiment of the foregoing process, only frames thatare determined to have been modulated with carrier signal 20 arerotated.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,various modifications can be made thereto without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is not intended thatthe invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of thepresent invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

1. A method for signal modulation comprising: selecting a plurality ofpixels within one or more frames of a video signal in a pattern suchthat a first pixel group of the plurality of pixels is unpaired with asecond pixel group of the plurality of pixels throughout the pattern;and determining adjustment amounts to the first pixel group and thesecond pixel group according to at least one signal hiding technique;and altering intensity of the first pixel group and the second pixelgroup according to the adjustment amounts.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein determining adjustment amounts to the first pixel groupaccording to at least one signal hiding technique includes: determiningadjustment amounts to a plurality of pixels for a first pixel group byselecting a largest adjustment value for each of the plurality of pixelsdetermined by at least two signal hiding techniques.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein altering intensity of the plurality of the pixels ofthe first pixel group and the second pixel group according to theadjustment amounts includes: altering intensity of the plurality of thepixels of the first pixel group and the second pixel group according toa random or pseudo-random portion of the adjustment amounts.
 4. A methodfor signal modulation comprising: selecting a plurality of pixels in apattern such that a first pixel group of the plurality of pixels isunpaired with a second pixel group of the plurality of pixels throughoutthe pattern in a portion of a video signal; and altering intensity ofthe plurality of the pixels at a constant magnitude in the portion ofthe video signal pursuant to the pattern in a substantially invisibleway.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising selecting a variedpattern of high and low changes as a pattern.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein altering luminance of a plurality of the pixels includes atleast one of selectively adding or removing luminance to the pluralityof pixels.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising selecting apattern wherein the first group of the plurality of pixels are not in ahigh/low configuration with the second group of the plurality of pixels.8. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving a video signalfrom a signal source.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the video signalincludes an analog video signal.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein theportions include one or more frames of the video signal.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the one or more frames of the video signal includesone or more consecutive frames of the video signal.
 12. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the portions include a field of one or more frames ofthe video signal.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the field of theone or more frames includes a same field of the one or more frames. 14.The method of claim 4, further comprising providing the video signalincluding a carrier signal to a broadcast source.
 15. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising providing a resulting modulated video signalto a broadcast source.
 16. The method of claim 4, further comprisingselecting an irregular configuration as a pattern.
 17. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the pattern creates an amount of high/low and low/highchanges in the field that makes an intensity alteration to the pluralityof pixels detectible.
 18. The method of claim 4, wherein the patterncreates an amount of line to line differences with a plurality of pairsof adjacent scan lines in the field that makes an intensity alterationto the plurality of pixels detectible.
 19. The method of claim 4,further comprising selecting a pseudorandom pattern as a pattern. 20.The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel group includes selectionof a first number of scan lines of a field and the second pixel groupincludes a second number of scan lines of the field that is differentthan the first number of scan lines.
 21. An encoding system comprising:a signal source; and an encoder configured to: receive a video signalfrom the signal source, designate a pixel group in a field of one ormore frames of the video signal in a pattern such that the plurality ofscan lines are not paired throughout the field, and alter intensity of aplurality of the pixels of the designated pixel group at a constantmagnitude pursuant to the pattern in a substantially invisible way. 22.The system of claim 21, wherein the pixel group includes a plurality ofscan lines.
 23. An encoding apparatus comprising: a processor; andsoftware means on the processor operative for: selecting a plurality ofscan lines in a field of one or more frames in a pattern such that theplurality of scan lines are not paired throughout the field, andaltering luminance of a plurality of the pixels of the plurality of scanlines at a constant magnitude pursuant to the pattern in a substantiallyinvisible way.
 24. An encoding apparatus comprising: means for selectinga plurality of scan lines in a field of one or more frames in a patternsuch that the plurality of scan lines are not paired throughout thefield; and means for altering luminance of a plurality of the pixels ofthe plurality of scan lines at a constant magnitude pursuant to thepattern in a substantially invisible way.
 25. A tangible mediumcomprising: a plurality of frames; and a plurality of scan lines of afield of at least one of the plurality of frames comprising a pluralityof pixels with substantially invisible luminance adjustments accordingto a pattern where the plurality of scan lines are not paired throughoutthe field, wherein luminance of the plurality of the pixels of theplurality of scan lines is adjusted at a constant magnitude.
 26. Anencoding system comprising: an encoder; and a broadcast source, thebroadcast source receiving a modulated video signal from the encoder,the video signal comprising: a plurality of frames, and a plurality ofscan lines of a field of at least one of the plurality of framescomprising a plurality of pixels with substantially invisible luminanceadjustments according to a pattern where the plurality of scan lines arenot paired throughout the field, wherein luminance of the plurality ofthe pixels of the plurality of scan lines is adjusted at a constantmagnitude.